Multiple disk drill bit



June 17, 1930. c. s. CRICKMER Er AL MULTIPLE DISK DRILL BIT 2Sheets-Sheet l Original Filed Oct. 21, 1925 June 17, 1930.

2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Original Filed 001:. 21, 1925 0 r 2/ Lil. v m L m M 4a/ww 2 0 my 5 Reissued June 17, 1930 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE CHARLESS. CBICKMER AND IVAN C. BELL, OF DALLAS, TEXAS, ASSIGNORS TO THEGUIBERSON CORPORATION, OF DALLAS, TEXAS, A CORPORATION OF DELAWAREMULTIPLE-DISK DRILL BIT Original No. 1,657,610, dated January 31, 1928,Serial No. 64,019, filed October 21, 1925. Application for reissue filedOctober 23, 1929. vSerial No. 401,915.

This invention relates to new and useful im rovements in multiple diskdrill bits.

11 object of the invention is to provide a drill in which some of thedisks are located at a lower elevation than the others, thereby cuttingin advance of the others and making for more effective and more rapiddrilling as well as providing for an adequate supply of slush liquid atthe cutting points of the disks.

Another object of the invention is to provide a multiple disk drill bitequipped with advance disks and have a central tongue extending downbetween the disks and provided with fluid passages and discharge portsat its lower end, whereby slush liquid may be delivered substantially atthe bottom of the hole and below the upper cutter disks and the disksthus more effectively cleaned.

Another object of the invention is to provide a disk bit having advancecutting disks mounted to'wobble or oscillate and elevated cutting diskslikewise mounted whereby the hole will be drilled in two stages and thedisks will undergo sufficient shearing movement to clean the bottom ofthe hole thus preventing retardation and dragging.

A still further object of the invention is .to

mount the disks in such offset relation that each will travel in asubstantially individual orbit with a certain amount of drag, but owingto their oscillating action, will shear approximately the entire bottomof the hole.

A construction designed to carry out the invention will be hereinafterdescribed together with other features of the invention.

The invention will be more readily understood from a reading ofthe'following specification and by reference to the accompanyingdrawing, in which an example of the invention is shown, and wherein:

Fig. 1 is an elevation of a bit constructed in accordance with ourinvention,

Fig. 2 is a side elevation of the same,

Fig. 3 is a vertical sectional view of the hit, two of the disks beingin elevation,

Fig. 4 is an underside view of Fig. 3,

Fig. 5 is an elevation of the outer end of one of the axles,

Fig. 6 is an elevation of the inner end ofone of the axles.

socket has itsside walls converging upwardly to produce a wedge shape.

The upper wedge shaped end 14'of a flat tongue 15 is driven into thesocket 13. On

each side of the stock are provided flat vertical seats 16 havingoverhanging shoulders 17. Complementary cheek plates or hangers 18 areformed with flat inner faces 19 for contact'with the seats 16. The outersides or surfaces of the plates are curved to conform to the contour ofthe stock. The seats 16 have vertical key-ways 20, which may bedovetailed or otherwise formed. The plates have vertical keys 21 ontheir faces 19 shaped to lit in key-ways. When the key is slid into thekey-way from the bottom the shoulder 17 rests upon the top of the plateand said key, thus taking the upward thrust sustained by said plate- Theplates have their faces 19 substantially parallel to the sides of thetongue 15 and spaced therefrom. By observing Figs. 2, 3 and-A,-

it will be seen that the front and rear sides of the stock and the edgesof the plates are cut at such anglesthat the lower bearing ends of-theplates are in ofi'set relation with=respect to a transverse axis passingcentrally through the tongue. However, the keys and key-ways are locatedcentrally of the stock and a single locking pin 23 holds the platesagainst downward displacement; the keys themselves preventing horizontaldisplacement.

The manner of fastening the pin 23 is shown in Fig. 3. At one end thepin has a head 24 countersunk in a counter bore 25 in one of the plates18 (Fig. 3). This head has awrench socket 26 (Fig. 2) therein. The

1' other end of the pin is reduced and formed with an inclined annularshoulder 27 (Fig. A shouldered nut 28 is countersunk in a counter bore29 in the other cheek plate. This has a wrench socket 30 and screws onthe end of the pin. The inner end of the nut rides upon the inclinedshoulder 27 and binds the nut. By removing the nut and withdrawing thepin 23 the cheek plates may be removed. The means of attaching theplates is very satisfactory and tests of the bit in a hole show that thepin does not loosen nor do the plates spread; however any suitable meansof fastening the plates may be used.

The plates and tongue support axles which comprise outer trunnions 32,inner trunnions 33. an intermediate circular disk or plate 34 andcylindrical bearing bosses 35 on each side of the disk and from whichthe contiguous trunnion extends concentrically. As the axles areduplicates, a description of one will explain both. The axle'isconstructed to provide vertical offset bearings for supporting circularcutting disks 36 and 37, respectively at diiferent elevations, wherebyone of said disks will cut in advance of the other as the hole isdrilled.

The'bosses are diametrically opposite but when the axle is in positionin the bit said bosses are offset on opposite sides of the vertical axisof the plate 34. This arrangement has the effect of locating one disk inadvance of the other with regard to the rotation of the bit. It will benoted that thelower disk 37 is smaller in diameter than the upper disk36 and is set adjacent to the tongue so as to drill the central port-ionof the hole; while the upper disk is larger in diameter and is setadjacent the hanger 18 to cut the outer portion of the hole.

While the lower disk is smaller in diameter the circumferential offsetis suflicient to locate the active cutting edge of said disk in advanceof the active cutting edge of the upper larger disk. This is a featurewhich has proved of considerable advantage because it gives to bothdisks a full rolling effect and oflsets the shearing drag which would bepresent if the axles of the bearing bosses were vertically alined,However there may be instances where the circumferential ofi'set wouldnot be desirable and the invention is not-to be limited to the same.

The hanger 18 has a circular socket 38 on 1 its inner face for receivingthe trunnion 32 at the outer end of the axle. The inner trunnion 33 fitsin an aperture 39 (Fig. 3) in the axles the inner trunnions are'placedside by side in the aperture 39. In order to hold the axles in positionwhile the bit is being assembled the contacting portions of the innertrunnions are flattened at 40 (Figs. 5 and 6) so that when inserted inthe aperture said axles are held against revolution.

This mounting of the axles disposes them 'on opposite sides of thetransverse axis of the bit stock and the circumferential offset relationof the disks is carried out between disks of each axle as well asbetween the disks themselves. One of the difficulties with drill disksis the tendency not to track or revolve, thus wearing flat instead ofwearing to a cutting edge and retaining roundness. The presentarrangement overcomes these troubles.

A very important feature of the invention in combination with theadvance location of the disks 37, is the mounting of the disks, wherebythey are free to oscillate or rock on their bearings, thus wobbling asthey revolve. In Letters Patent Nos. 1,657,607 and 1,657,608, issuedJanuary 31, 1928 are shown two forms of bearings for mounting this typeof disks, both giving the same result and while we have employed in thedrawings of the present application, the form shown in the first patent,the form shown in the second patent may be used. Each disk has acurvilinear or flared bore 41 in its hub 42, which bore is struck on acontinuous transverse curve or convex arc. It is pointed out that eachboss disk may have some vertical movement and 7 this will amplify theoscillation or wobble.

The dominating feature as stated is the advance cutting location of thedisks 37 and this provides for the extension of the tongue 15 to avsomewhat lower elevation than the ends of the cheek plates 18. Thus theadvance disks 37 will cut at a lower elevation than the upper disks 36.This arrangement makes for faster and easier drilling and has the efiectof rat-tailing the hole, as it is commonly known in the field. It isapparent that when the drill is rotated the disks will travelin'comparatively wide orbits owing to their ability to oscillate orwobble and will thus shear ofl "as well as cut into the formations atthe bottom of the hole. Also the drilling or cutting will be carried outat two stages or elevations. In this connect-ion the relative mountingof the two axles is clearly shown in Fig. 4. By placing the axis of theaxles on opposite sides of the transverse axis of the bit, the disks areproperly relatively offset or stepped circumferentially of the bit.

The particular shape of the disks is not essential tothe invention, butwe secured good results by forming'the disks 36 with their outer facesconvex and their inner faces dished or concaved. The lower ends of theplates 18 may also be rounded off. This arrangement tends to reduceresistance to the downward travel of the bit and the concavoconvex shapeof the disks 36 reduce the thick ness of the cutting edges of the disks,whereby they more readily wear to a sharp cutting edge. The lower disks37 are provided with fiat-inner faces so as to revolve in closeproximity to the sides of the tongue 15 and each has a bevel 37',inclining away from the center of the bit which enhances its wearingqualities and facilitates its drilling function and its downward travel.

The forked or bifurcated lower portion of the drill stock, produced bythe formation of the socket 13 (Fig. 3) is provided with fingers orprojections 43 which extend downwardly between the inner faces of thedisks 36 and the tongue 15-, but which terminate above the disks 37.These fingers are substantially triangular in form and have their loweredges 44 inclined in opposite directions, respectively toward the frontand rear sides of the bit. Thefunction of these fingers is to wipe orremove from the edges of the disks 36 drillings or viscous matteradhering thereto. The reverse inclination of bottom edges of the fingerscauses deposits which are removed from the disks to be discharged onopposite sides of the transverse axis of the bit, thus furtherdecreasing the tendency to clog. b

The application of a slush liquid to the disk and its discharge at thebottom of the hole, due to the low elevation of the bottom of the tongueis an important feature of the invention.

- and axles cool.

A well 50 is bored axially in the pin 11 and stock 10 to a point justabove the socket 13. Ducts or courses 51 diverge from the lower portionof the well on each side of said socket. These ducts are provided withflaring mouth portions 52 which extend downwardly through the respectivefingers 43 and open at their delivery ends through the inclined edges 44thereof. Water or other cooling and cleansing fluid may be dischargedthrough these courses against the surfaces of the disk to wash away-thecuttings and keep the disks By extending these ducts or courses downwardthrough the fingers 43, the streams discharging therefrom-will bedirected throu hout a wide area against the faces of the disks, and, theWater being concentrated in the channels formed between the faces of thedisks and the inclined edges 44 of the fingers, will be caused toexert'a forcible washing action, thus cooling the disks the fulldistance radially between their hubs and cutting edges and ensuring thethorough washing out of all cuttings or ,gl'lndings lodging between thedisks and upon the cutting edges thereof. A duct 53 is also formed inthe stock and communicates with diverging ducts 54 extending downthrough the tongue 15 and having flaring outlets 55 arranged todischarge the cooling and cleansing fluid centrally of the cutters andbetween the inner rotary cutting disks in the cutting region of the bit.The water discharged from this duct will accordingly flow over the disksat points adjacent to the advance edges thereof and directly to thepoints of contact with the substance being bored or drilled, thusfurther increasing the efiiciency of the cleansing and cooling actions.

The character of disk mounting which has been pointed out has numerousadvantages, such as that of self-sharpening; ready rolling orrevolution, which means proper traction; rapid cutting in shale and rockformations as well as in soft and viscous formations; and self-cleaning.These disks do not need lubrication as the fluid pumped through thedrill stem will keep them clean, cool and free from excessive wear onthe axles. The disks used are of comparatively small diameters whencontrasted with the disks used on drills of this class. It will beobserved that the cutting disks are arranged in pairs, one pair on eachside of the vertical center of the drill bit, the adjacent faces of thedisks of each pair being spaced apart to a fairly wide degree so that agang of four disks will have a wide cutting area. As a result of thiswide cutting area and the efliciency of cutting action of the disks, atype of drill is provided which has a cutting action approximately equalto that of drills of ordinary construction in which a gang of sixcutting disks is employed, three on each side of the vertical center ofthe drill, and at the same time a more compact form of drill isproduced.

Various changes in the size and shape of the different parts, as well asmodifications and alterations may be made within the scope of theappended claims.

pendently mounted upon the stock, adjacent disks being spaced apart attheirhubs, and projections on the stock extending relatively into thespaces between the disks, two of said disks being mounted at the centerof 2. In a multiple cutter disk bit, a bit stock, separate disksrevolubly and independently mounted upon the stock, and downwardlydirected fingers on the stock extending relatively between adjacentfaces of adjacent disks, two of said .disks being mounted at the bitbelow the other disks.

gers depending adjacent the inner sides of said disks, and advancecutting disks spaced from and mounted below the fingers and the.

other disks at the. center of the bit.

4. In a multiple cutter disk bit, a bit stock,

hangers, depending from the stock, the lower center of the bit, saidfingers having liquid outlets discharging over said advance cuttingdisks and against the inner sides of the first named disks.

5;. In a multiple cutter disk bit, a bit stock,

, hangers depending from the stock, the lower ends of the hangers beingrounded, revoluble disks mounted adjacent the hangers and having theirouter sides convex, clearance fingers depending adjacent the inner sidesof said disks, and advance cutting disks mounted below the fingers andthe other disks at the center of the bit, said fingers having liquidoutlets discharging over said advance cutting disks and against theinner sides of the firstnamed disks, and means for delivering a slushliquid between the lower edges of the advance cuttingdisks.

,6. In a multiple cutter disk bit, a bit stock, upper cuttingdisksmounted on the lower end of the bit stock, advance cutting disksmounted at the center of the bit below the upper disks, said disks beinginitially loosely mounted with suflicient play at their journals towobble as they revolve.

. '7. In a multiple cutter disk bit, a bit stock,

upper cutting disks mounted on the lower end of the bit stock, advancecutting disks mounted at the center of the bit below the upper disks,saiddisks being initially journaled to wobble as they revolve, and meansfor supplying a slush liquid to the disks.

8. In a multiple cutter disk bit, a bit stock, hangers at the sides ofthe stock, a central tongue depending from the stock, axles supportedbetween the hangers and the tongue having vertically offset axes, andcutting disks mounted on said journals, the disks being initiallymounted free to Wobble on their journals.

9. In a multiple cutter disk bit, a bit stock, hangers at the sides ofthe stock, a central tongue depending from the stock, axles supportedbetween the hangers and the tongue having vertically ofl'set axes, andcutting disks mounted on said journals, the disks being initiallymounted to wobble on their journals, the tongue having liquid ductsprovided with outlets below the ournals of the lowermost disks.

10. In a multiple cutter disk bit, a bit stock, supports at the lowerend of the stock, axle members carried by the supports, each axle ingsaid collars, whereby said disks rock as they revolve.

11. In a multiple cutter disk bit, a bit stock, hangers at the sides ofthe stock, a central support depending from the stock, upper disksjournaled contiguous to the inner sides of the hangers, lower disks journaled contiguous to the central support and at a lower elevation thanthe upper disks, said disks being loosely mounted and having suificientclearance at their journal to wobble when revolved. 12;] In a multiplecutter diskbit, a bit stock, hangers at the sides of the stock, acentral support, depending from the stock, upper disks j ournaledcontiguous to the inner sides of the hangers, lower disks journaledcontiguous to the central support and at a lower elevation than theupper disks, said disks being .loosely mounted and having suflicientclearance at their journal to 'wobble when revolved, the central supporthaving liquid supply ductsprovided with outlets'located between thelower disks. 1

13,. In'a multiple disk drill bit, a stock, hangers detachably securedto the stock at op posite sides thereof, atongue depending from thestockbetween the hangers, axles having their ends supportedin the hangers andthe tongue, each axle including a vertical plate having journals offsetvertically on opposite sides thereof, and circular cutting disks looselymounted on thejournals of the axles, the bores of the disks being flaredand the disks being free to rock on'their journal's.

14. In a multiple disk drill bit, a stock, hangers-detachably secured tothe stock at opposite sides thereof, a tongue depending from the stockbetween the hangers, axles having their ends supported in the hangersand the tongue, each axle including a vertical plate having journalsoflset vertically on opposite sides thereof, circular cutting disksloosely mounted on the journals of the axles, the bores ofthe disksbeing curvilinear and the'disks being free to rock on their journals,and wipers contiguous to the upper disks.

15. In a multiple disk drill bit, a stock, hangers detachably secured tothe stock at opposite sides thereof, a tongue depending from the stockbetween the hangers, axles having their ends supported in the hangersand the tongue, each axle including a vertical plate having journalsofi'set vertically on opposite sides thereof, circular cutting disksloosely mounted on the journals of the axles, the bores of the disksbeing flared and the disks being free to rock on their journals, andwipers contiguous to the upper disks, the tongue having liquid supply'ducts provided with outlets at their lower ends t he bit and rmoo Iwi-pers having liquid supplycducts provided drilling operation, theinner disks being conwith outletsat their lower ends, tiguous to thecentral support and the outer 16. In a multiple cutterdisk bit, a bitdisks being contiguous to the hangers, and

stock, supports at the lower end of the stock, means carried by theaxles for spacin the a plurality of cutter'disks carried by the supdisksapart and maintaining them out 0. con- 70 ports and having flaredjournal bearings, tact with each other.

1 whereby said disksmay wobble as they re- In. testimony whereof Weaffixour signavolve, the centraljdisks extending below the tures,

outer disks. 5 4 CHARLES S. CRICKMER.

17. As a sub-combination in a disk bit, a "IVAN G. BELL.

central depending support, axles extending v v v 1 from opposite sidesofsaid support and on opposite-sidesof the transverse' axis'thereof,

1} each axle including a spacin' member and v journals one above theother 0 set on opposite 8Q sides of said member, disks mounted on saidjournals of theaxles, and supports for the Y a I outer ends of saidaxles. i

18. In a multiple cutter'disk' bit, a bit stock, a

depending supports at the, bottom of the s5 7 stock axles carried bysaid supports and dis- T posed onopposite sides 'of the diametrical axisof the stock, each axle including cylin drical bearings eccentric toeach other one 5' above the other, rotatable disks mounted on 90 saideccentric bearings of the axle, and means between the eccentric bearingsof each axle for maintaining said disks in spaced relation andpreventing contact of theircutting edges.

19, In a' multiple disk drill bit, a stock, 95

hangers depending from the stock at opposite v 1 sldes thereof, a tonguedepending from the stock between the hangers, axles having their endssupported in the hangers and the tongue and located on opposite sides ofsaid tongue, a 0

and also on opposite sides of the transverse axis of the stock, eachaxle including bear ings eccentric to each other and disposed one abovethe other on the same side of the trans- A verse axis of the stock,cutter disks mounted v 105 on the bearings of said axle, and'means forspacing the disks of each .axle apart and preventin contacttherebetween.

20. he combination set forth in claim'1 9 with liquid ducts dischargingbetween the .110

outer cutter disks and the central cutter disks, and other dlmt'sdischarging from the bottom of the tongue between the central cutterdisks.

21. The combination set forth in claim 19 V with li uid ductsdischarging fromthe'boti 115 tom of t e tongue between the -centralcutters.

22. In a multiple disk drill bit, a stock,

hangers depending from the bottom of the stoc at opposite sides and"spaced apart, a

central depending support between the 120.

hangers and spaced therefrom, axles supported between the hangers andthe support and located in oifset relation on opposite sides of thetransverse axis of the stock, each axle 50 including a pair of bearingportions in ec- 2 centric relatlon to each otherand disposed one abovethe other on the same side of the transverse axis of the stock, cutterdisks mounted on the bearing portions of the axles,

- whereby their advance edges function in the

